01-06-2025
Cutting school librarians in the Tri-Cities is a horrible plan
I'm deeply concerned by Richland School District's decision to eliminate certified teacher-librarians from middle and high schools next year, replacing them with paraeducators.
Paraeducators are hardworking and bring great value to schools, but they are not trained or compensated to take on the role of a certified librarian. This is a teaching position that requires a specialized endorsement involving rigorous coursework and an internship.
Librarians support literacy, yes, but they also do so much more. They collaborate with teachers, teach research and media literacy, analyze library collections for gaps in representation and intentionally build inclusive spaces that foster belonging, curiosity and academic growth.
As someone who recently completed a Library Media Endorsement program, I had the opportunity to spend time in a middle school library and witness what certified librarians really do. Ms. Howard, the librarian, created monthly book displays, ran contests, supported curriculum and made her library a place where students felt seen. She didn't just manage books — she built readers.
Cutting certified librarians sends the message that reading, equity and student engagement are no longer priorities. Richland students deserve strong, thoughtfully led library programs. Please reconsider.
Holly Shaklee, Richland
Primary care provider shortages seem to be a topic that we have all heard about and/or experienced firsthand. As the Tri-City population continues to grow, physician shortages will become a more prominent problem. As a community member, I believe this problem needs to be addressed to help relieve the burden on healthcare workers and help our community become healthier.
Lack of access to primary care results in preventable health problems, like hypertension, becoming larger issues and could result in more complicated and costly health problems, according to one study.
Another suggests increasing the number of medical school acceptances, lowering the cost of medical school and increasing the amount and scope of practice for mid-level providers such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Tri-Cities could help alleviate their own burden by increasing admission to the family nurse practitioner school at WSU and partnering with UW to have a medical school campus here.
Having access to healthcare is something our community deserves, and we should have a united front. More doctors and mid-level providers in our community will prevent long waiting times in the emergency room and help our community members become and remain healthier.
JanaRose Johnson, Pasco
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those at Queensgate Cinema yesterday. Thanks to those who stepped forward in my time of need, those who stepped forward when I was hurting. If it were not for those individuals, I may not have made it. Those individuals stepped up to the plate.
They treat others like they themselves want to be treated.
And a special thanks to a very kind nurse, Sharon, who works at Kadlec hospital. The kindness of strangers is what our world needs more of. I will be forever in your debt. All the best and God bless.
Bob Petty, Benton City
According to Morning Joe analyst Steve Rattner, the 'Big Beautiful Bill' passed by house Republicans will deliver a 3.7% increase in after-tax dollars to the top 10%. The average bottom 10% American will lose $800 because the tax relief is so small and the loss of safety net benefits is so large.
The 60% in the middle won't feel much difference either way. The cuts to Medicaid and food stamps in the bill are historically large, but it still would increase the deficit by 3.8 trillion.
Rattner also says that if the 2017 tax cuts were allowed to expire only on those Americans making over $500,000 annually, it would save $1.1 trillion over 10 years. That would be enough to pay for the Medicaid and food stamps that the 'big beautiful bill' cuts. The GOP pretends that tax cuts that exclude the very wealthy are liberal extremism, though.
The bill was hastily passed in the wee hours without the normal process of evaluation. Rep. Dan Newhouse voted yes and claims to be proud of it, but really? The hot mess will next be considered by the Senate, where even the Republicans reportedly think it stinks. But nobody's betting on their integrity.
Greg Carl, Richland
Rep. Dan Newhouse:
I am your constituent in Kennewick. It is imperative that you and other House Republicans remove the following language from Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill:'
'No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued ....'
Remove this language now!
Quoting the Hartman Report, May 20: 'In plain language, what this says is that no court can enforce a contempt charge against Trump or his people unless the person or group who brought the charges against the president or his administration had first posted a cash bond. ... if this becomes law, Congress will have stripped the courts — including the Supreme Court — of their ability to use the power of contempt to enforce their rulings.
With this single stroke, Trump will have crowned himself king. No congress and no court can stop him.'
Don't be part of castrating the enforcement powers of the courts, effectively destroying the U.S. Constitution and our democracy!
Follow your moral compass and oppose this bill!
Nancy Klotz, Kennewick
The escalating youth mental health crisis in the Tri-Cities region demands urgent attention. Between 2013 and 2021, Washington state witnessed a staggering 600% increase in youth attempted suicides. There were 326 attempted suicides from children age 10-17 just in Benton/Franklin counties. According to the CDC, suicide ranks as the third-leading cause of death among high school students aged 14–18. These alarming statistics stress the necessity for immediate action.
According to NAMI Tri-Cities, suicide has now become the ninth-leading cause of death in our counties, with youth mortality rates surpassing the state average.
As a parent of a child facing mental health challenges, I urge our community leaders to: enhance school-based mental health services. This includes implementing comprehensive mental health programs within schools, such as regular screenings, counseling services and crisis intervention. Our community should also increase funding for mental health resources, such as allocating additional funds to expand the capacity of mental health clinics and support training specializing in adolescent care. We need to promote community awareness to destigmatize mental health issues and educate about recognizing warning signs.
By taking these steps, we prioritize the mental well-being of our youth, ensuring they have the resources and support they need.
Tashina Ovenell, Richland
One consideration missing from commentaries on the two major political parties is that partisanship is currently the most destructive force within our political system. It is the root cause of the current failure of our political system to accomplish what is best for all citizens.
Partisanship, the strong allegiance or loyalty to political parties, ideology or cause, is resulting in strongly biased perspectives and unwillingness to consider opposing viewpoints. This same phenomenon applies separately within the Democratic Party when two of its internal factions are considered.
Separate partisanship leaning by the Democrats' left and moderate factions is resulting in three partisanship factions in American politics: Republican, Left Democrat and Moderate Democrat. This gives the Republicans a significant advantage in that their entire party is in lock step on this issue because Trump is exercising absolute control of all thoughts throughout his party. This is also what allowed Adolf Hitler to take control of Germany in the 1930s.
Jim Tow, Richland
Rap. Dan Newhouse failed his eastern Washington constituency and most Americans across the land with his vote to pass the Republican budget bill. That bill, when acted upon by the Senate, will be responsible for the greatest impoverishment of Americans in our lifetimes.
Newhouse's vote alone could have stopped it, but he chose instead to transfer our nation's wealth, labor-derived, to the oligarchs.
Homelessness will increase as our elders will be denied subsidized housing and health care. Every family will be affected. Farmers and small businesses are being crushed by tariffs.
Why, Newhouse? Why did you do this to us? Why would you abrogate your constitutional responsibility over the budget and hand that power over to an ignorant, sociopathic narcissist?
Either Newhouse incredulously believes tariffs are now magically less destructive than they have historically been, or he is in fear for his life. Which is it? Which is worse?
Our democracy is collapsing, and Newhouse is working at the forefront of that transition into fascism. Recovery may take generations if we don't halt Trump now. This is not a game.
Step up, Newhouse, or step out.
Ivar Husa, Richland
